Rail-joint.



W. KENNAUGH.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED 020.11.1915.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

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atbozneg WILLIAM KENNAUGH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RAILJOIN'I'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 235, rare.

Application filed December 11, 1915. Serial No. 66,262.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM KENNAUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Rail-Joint; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in rail joints, and has for its object to provide a device of this character which embodies novel features of construction whereby the abutting ends of the rails can be securely maintained in alinement with each other and held against relative vertical or lateral displacement.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a rail joint which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which avoids the necessity for using fish plates, which can be easily and quickly assembled, and which will not require constant tightening.

Vfith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claim.

For a full understanding of the invention,

reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rail joint constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan. view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation with portions broken away and shown in section to more clearly illustrate the details of construction. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a slight modification. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing a further modification.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals l designate the abutting ends of a pair of rails, said rails being of any standard or conventional cross section. Arranged under the abutting ends 1 of the rails is a cross tie 2 formed of an I beam, a cushioning block 3 of wood or like material being arranged on the top of the l. beam so as to be interposed between the I beam and the bases of the rails. The edges of the upper flanges of the I beam are provided with longitudinally extending upstanding lips at which engage opposite sides of the cushioning block 3 to assist in holding the same properly positioned upon the I beam. This I beam provides a cross tie and, in conjunction with the cushioning block 3, provides a chair or seat upon which the rail ends rest.

Corresponding openings 5 are drilled or otherwise formed in the ends of the rails 1 so as to be disposed directly opposite to and in alinement with each other when the rails are brought together in proper position. A pin. 6 is designed to be fitted within the openings 5 and, if desired, means may be provided for expanding the ends of the pin 6 into a firm engagement with the walls of the openings 5 so to prevent possible looseness. In the present instance the ends of the pin 6 are shown as split and adapted to receive wedge members 7 which may or may not be formed with heads 8. When the rail ends are pushed together, after positioning the pin 6 and wedges 7 within the openings 5, the wedges are forced into the split ends 6 of the pin. in such a manner as to expand the same into a firm engagement with the walls of the openings 5 and produce a strong joint.

The basal flanges of the rails 1 are formed with longitudinal slots 9 receiving bolts 10 which also pass through the top of the T beam 2 and the cushioning layer 3. These bolts 10 retain the rails securely in position upon the I beams, and the elongated forma tion of the openings 9 permits of the necessary expansion and contraction of the rails due to changes of temperature. When the rails are thus assembled and bolted to the ties provided by the 1 beams, the abutting ends thereof are held securely against both vertical and lateral displacement relative to each other, and there is no need for the usual fish plates.

A slight modification is shown by Fig. 4, in which the pin 6* is divided longitudinally on a diagonal line to provide a pair of wedge sections adapted to cooperate with each other to expand the pin into a firm engagement with the walls of the openings 5 when the rail ends are forced together.

An additional modification is shown by Fig. 6, in Which a solid steel pin 6 is employed, said pin being of such a size as to fit securely Within the openings 5 in the rail ends.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Let- 'ters Patent, is

A rail joint including the abutting ends of a pair of rails, said rail ends having corresponding openings in the heads thereof, a pin fitting accurately Within the said corresponding openings and having split ends, wedge members inserted in the split ends WILLIAM KENNAUGH.

Witnesses HARRY CURRAN, ANTHONY W. AUER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner or Patentu,

' Washington, :0. 0;" 

